Category: Vacation

When Evelyn was 2 weeks old, I was having a rough go with Post Partum Depression. Aaron decided that he was going to plan a Disneyland trip to give me something to look forward to and hopefully give me some light at the end of the tunnel. I was excited, but at the time (Januray!!) June seemed forever away, and the thought of Evelyn being almost 6 months was unfathomable. But it came! Here’s a quick look at the highlights of our holiday. The first ride we wanted to go on was Peter Pan’s First Flight. Evelyn fell asleep in the Ergo.

Grandma & Grandpa had fun taking Molly on the carrousel. We had lunch at the Blue Bayou that afternoon, and the babies did great! Small World, always a crowd favorite.

That evening we camped out on the Jolly Holiday terrace so we could watch the fireworks comfortably.

And of course I wasn’t without a caramel apple cider, made with extra magic. Evelyn’s reaction to her first time seeing/hearing fireworks was priceless. Evelyn was such a happy girl in Disneyland. It was the least fussy she had been all month. She would take great naps in the park.

DOLE WHIPS! The happiest frozen treat on earth. Evelyn’s favorite Disneyland souvenir…a wrapped spoon. She loved the way it crinkled. This is just a fluke photo. She was actually SO happy to be in the Ergo. She loved being carried around and looking at all the people and things. She barely fussed at all. We didn’t bother with the stroller at all. It was so much easier to carry Evelyn around. The Ergo was incredibly comfortable, and bebe was the happiest. Win win.

We took a break from The Magic Kingdom for Aaron to show Evelyn and I his stomping grounds. We drove all over Ventura county seeing the houses in which he grew up. He took us to this amazing strawberry stand down the street from one of his houses. With no exaggeration, these were the BEST strawberries I’ve ever had in my life. And I’m a strawberry snob, so I would know!

The next day at Disneyland was Princess Day for us. Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the cutest baby of all?

We took the girls to build a bear to make their twincess.

I will never be too old to leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.

It never crossed my mind how difficult vacation planning with a baby would be. I was baffled at how many diapers I would need to pack.

We caravanned with the Crowders in our travel trailers to Southern Utah. Baby girl did pretty well most of the drive, from what I was told. The Xterra had to go in the shop last minute (the morning we left!) so I was pulling our trailer with Daniel’s car, while Aaron, Josh & Evelyn followed behind me.

It was a little on the cramped side inside of Myrtle the Trailer, but no one seemed to mind.

Uncle Joshky stayed with us in our trailer.

Evelyn Faye phone home.

She was an extra happy girl spending so much time with her uncles.

Matching hats & glasses with Papa.

I have a feeling that this is only the start of many memories and adventures.

Hey there Banana what’s it like inside my tummy…
Well Evelyn,
We know you’re a girl. Guess what little thing? We are HALF WAY DONE. Today, we’re 20 weeks. Does that mean we can start counting down? You and I have had quite the adventure in the past little while.

You make me pretty sick. And I would be SO mad about it if I didn’t love you so much. But I love you, and I’d do anything for you.

I decided to combine the last two days of our Disney trip into one post. On our 2nd to last day, we broke out our matching shirts. They were a fantastic shade of Ninja Turtle variety colors, and Keep Calm Disney-themed messages. I think we nailed it.

We got to California Adventure an hour early, so we could run straight to the Radiator Springs Racers and beat the hours and hours of lines for the new ride.

This was a Disneyland trip unlike any other, except for the first one back in 1991. It was Disneyland’s 50th birthday, and Grandpa’s 75th birthday. So 14 years later, the entire extended family went to celebrate.

The Intro

Aaron and I are going on a Disneyland trip next month, and it’s ALL we can talk about. It’s like the season leading up to Christmas.

Some people think it’s odd that children-less adults love Disneyland so much.

When my mom and dad were dating, they would hang out at my mom’s house, and my dad fell in love with her rad Greek family. He loved how every conversation would turn into a reminiscent session. “Remember the time when we were on vacation in Yellow Stone and…” “Remember how lost we got in…” “Remember how we had to all squish around in the back seat of the car on our way to…” “Remember when we could sprinkle water on Grandpa’s head from the back seat and he thought there was a leak in the roof of the car?” My mom’s family didn’t have a lot of money. It made a major impression on my dad at how important vacations are, and that you don’t need to spend a fortune to create memories. My dad knew that he wanted to make those memories with my mom and his future family.

My dad went to Disneyland the year it opened, in 1955. And he remembers it. From then on, it has held a special spot in his heart.

My mom and dad were on a strict budget when I was young. We didn’t go to Disneyland each year. But we did go on some kind of vacation each year, even if it was just a camping trip. And when we DID go to Disneyland, it was SO special.

I thought a fun activity would be write a tribute to each Disneyland adventure, and what specific stories happened each time.

October 1991

My first Disneyland trip was when I was 3 years old. October 1991. My Grandma Pulos felt inspired to have the entire extended family go to Disneyland together. (Four months later, she would learn she had terminal cancer.)